Asthma is a lifelong condition, but with the appropriate care, adults and children living with asthma can effectively manage their symptoms and reduce its impact on their daily lives. Asthma affects around 25 million people in the United States, and it can be serious -- even life-threatening.
Everyone with asthma should work closely with a healthcare provider to understand how to best manage asthma. Board-certified internal medicine physician Prabhdeep Singh, MD, strives to provide exceptional care to women, men, and teens in and near the El Centro, California area.
Dr. Singh possesses more than two decades of experience and takes pride in helping patients manage chronic conditions and stay as healthy as possible. An asthma attack can be scary. The sudden wheezing and difficulty breathing can feel terrifying. Dr. Singh helps patients feel confident about managing chronic conditions like asthma and controlling their symptoms.
Asthma is a chronic condition, which means that it requires life-long management. A healthcare provider must monitor and manage your asthma throughout your life. While there is currently no cure for asthma, you can effectively control your asthma with effective treatment and management.
Learning everything you can about asthma helps to promote successful treatment. It’s beneficial to learn about triggers, medications, and how asthma is managed long-term. Only you know how you feel and how your asthma affects you, and you must take responsibility for acting when your asthma isn’t well-controlled.
Many people with asthma believe their asthma is under control, but surveys have revealed that most people accept asthma control levels that fall far short of standards. It is critical that you understand what good asthma control entails to control your asthma.
Proper asthma control is essential for staying healthy and avoiding severe attacks and serious complications. With a professional's help, most patients can keep their asthma well-controlled. However, if you have difficulty staying symptom-free or have poor asthma control, it's wise to consult with your healthcare provider.
Your asthma is well-controlled if you don’t have any breathing difficulties, cough, or wheeze most days. When your asthma is managed well, you can sleep through the night without waking up with chest tightness or other symptoms.
Additionally, your asthma is under control when you can exercise without symptoms, don’t miss work or school due to asthma, and don’t have to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week.
A spirometry lung function test measures the air you breathe in one breath. Your asthma is considered to be under control when you have a normal lung function test.
If your asthma isn’t well controlled, you should consult your doctor. Uncontrolled asthma is extremely dangerous and can result in a life-threatening asthma attack. It is critical that you treat your asthma seriously and recognize when your symptoms are out of control.
Poorly controlled asthma can cause permanent damage to your airways that cannot be reversed over time. This is known as 'airway remodeling.' To avoid permanent damage from asthma, it is critical to receive proper treatment.
Dr. Singh will create and discuss an asthma action plan, a set of instructions for managing your asthma. Asthma is a complicated condition that requires expert medical care. Dr. Singh collaborates with you to develop and carry out an effective treatment plan.
Management involves using long-term medication to prevent symptoms and quick-acting medication to provide immediate relief when an asthma attack occurs.
Many people with asthma use a handheld device known as a peak flow meter to monitor symptoms. A peak flow meter can detect changes in peak air flow long before you have an asthma attack. This gives you an advantage in preventing an asthma attack before it occurs.
If you’re diagnosed with asthma or have symptoms and want to discuss a treatment plan, schedule a visit with Dr. Singh at our El Centro, California office by calling or booking online today.
